SABP Webinar Series: GM Crop Research and Biosafety Go Hand in Hand

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Background

Starting in the mid-1990s, universities and research institutes in Bangladesh have been developing genetically engineered (GE) crops to ensure the country’s food security by combating climate change, pests, and diseases. To encourage the safe use of modern biotechnology for humans, animals, and the environment, the Government of Bangladesh has developed a biosafety regime, taking into consideration global conventions and protocols. This biosafety system requires all GE crops to go through safety assessments prior to reaching farmers and consumers. Since 2005, the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) has been working with the Government of Bangladesh to develop and implement biosafety regulations, manuals, and assessment guidelines. Capacity development is a crucial part of this biosafety regime, as it improves compliance by present and future researchers in the field of biotechnology.

About the Webinar Series

Under the guidance of Dr. Aparna Islam, SABP is organizing a series of webinars in collaboration with various universities in Bangladesh, including those outside of Dhaka, which aims to facilitate knowledge on biosafety among researchers and students of biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology, botany, and genetic engineering. Prior to this webinar, three webinars had been organized jointly with Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University, Jahangirnagar University and the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dhaka University.

The fourth lecture in the SABP Webinar Series, this event took place on July 23, 2020. GM Crop Research and Biosafety Go Hand in Hand was organized jointly with the Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). Prof. Dr. Md. Giashuddin Miah, Honorable Vice Chancellor, BSMRAU was present at the event as the Chief Guest, and the event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Tofazzal Islam, Director, IBGE, BSMRAU. Two lectures were delivered during the event. “General Biosafety Requirement of Bangladesh” was presented by Dr. Aparna Islam, SABP. This was followed by a more specific lecture on the global status of biosafety for emerging technologies, including gene editing, by Dr. Andrew F. Roberts, Vice President, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI). The webinar was facilitated by Dr. Dipali Rani Gupta, Assistant Professor, IBGE, BSMRAU. The webinar was attended by students, early career researchers, and faculty members from BSMRAU.

Read about this event in the SABP Newsletter